The Sun Also Rises

If anything might be said of that decades old Frenchman it was surely that a certain part of him almost enjoyed that sense of uncertainty he might inflict upon others. To be predictable would be a very great shame, amusement so touching his features at that clear look of shock upon Dorian's own at both being asked to fetch something and too- at attempting to recall whether he had been carrying anything at all. It was that sheer politeness that had been beaten into the boy however that at last saw him rise to afford Matteo that brief moment of privacy with the vampire. For all Dorian's own obliviousness to the notion of this moment- Sebastian was distinctly more aware. Indeed, Sebastian was more aware of a very great deal and yet he hardly chose to speak upon it now. Any union was something of a business deal, Matteo determined to assure that this was a sensible match. The vampire clearly having anticipated just this conversation. His words were blunt and forthright, Matteo seeing no need to sugar coat those words else dance about the heart of a matter with gilded syllables like those royals did as he spoke of his original reservations in this union. Sebastian accepting as such with a pleasing diplomacy that, perhaps, only further inclined the man to his good graces. It was with those harsher truths cast aside however that he moved to offer the vampire that very approval he knew he sought, his reasons for just that approval offered in kind, Sebastian's assurance that he was indeed of that true and preferred faith was met with firm nod and a single utterance. Good man.

Sebastian's own thanks was accepted with yet another soft nod before those quietly spoken words seemed to see the Frenchman's blue silver gaze fixate back upon the vampire once more, one eye arching slightly upward at both the daring and yet to- the distinct tact of the insinuation of his relationship to his majesty layered within those pleasantries. The Fae finding himself far more amused at such diplomacy rather than irritated at the assumption. His own lip quirking slightly before his shoulders merely lifted in a truly vague shrug. It was the dying wish of Isabella that I might watch over him. As if that alone was the reason for five centuries of guardianship. His words offering no conformation nor denial of this notion of family before he moved to address the man's suggestion that he might stay longer. The opportunity will present itself in time. In fact, you will see me again in two days or so. No further words upon it were offered, the door opening then to see Dorian return with that large wrapped parcel within his arms.

The gift had been far heavier than the Monarch had truly anticipated, the parcel laid upon that table as he took his seat beside his lover once more, the silver of his gaze holding a ready inquisitiveness as to both the contents of that parcel and too- whatever it was that had been discussed in his absence. Dorian entirely aware that his retrieval of that gift had not been entirely for the purpose of it being required and yet for now he allowed such thoughts to pass in the wake of opening that parcel. It was with Sebastian's assistance that the large, leather-bound volume was fully revealed, Dorian opening that front cover with a ready intrigue to eye that neat cursive printed in Italian. Matteo's attempts to explain the gift so saw the Fae King turn further into those pages of history, the written word giving way to those typed clippings with but a neat impression of Matteo's own notes beside each portion of history that had been saved and presented upon the page for him. Sebastian too- shifted beside him to lean forward as it seemed something within that book had captured his lovers own eye, the vampire reaching forward to allow his fingers to brush across the image of a blonde-haired woman in a dress Dorian was assured was entirely too short. That soft utterance of 'Norma' despite the woman's name so clearly listed as Marilyn seeing his features frown but slightly once more as his gaze so lifted to his lover.

"Whom, might I ask, is Norma?"

One eye lifted upward and yet it was with a clear tease that such a gesture was offered. Dorian hardly surprised that his Consort may well know some of those faces sure to be depicted in that collection of history. Indeed, he would be hardly surprised in any sense were Sebastian to know several off them far more intimately then he might ever suggest. His gaze returned to Matteo then, so attempting to afford the Frenchman his thanks for a gift as very grand as this. One that had taken the man nothing less than five centuries to compile before it might be presented now, Dorian utterly unable to prevent himself from so wondering why his friend might have dedicated such time into something for him and yet to query a gift was but the height of rudeness, Dorian hardly daring to utter such words as Sebastian spoke of the time that surely need be dedicated to exploring its pages. His own head nodded in ready agreement with his lover as his eyes so continued to scan those pages. Harry Truman, Doris Day, Watergate, Punk Rock, North Korea, Belgians in the Congo, Buddy Holly, Joe DiMaggio, September Eleven, Peter Pan and Disneyland.

"I have many questions already."

He murmured softly, not one of those names or places or events familiar to him in any sense. How his ever-curious mind might relish something such as this! Dorian so absorbed in those pages he was very near given to miss Sebastian's own admittance that such a book was quite the undertaking. Matteo merely waving off such praise as if such a thing had taken him no time at all. Once I foresaw Sebastian's arrival I so added those pieces he might find of interest too. I will be one thousand nine hundred and eighty seven this year, I have had some free time. That soft chuckle from the man at last saw Dorian's gaze return to him before glancing towards the watch that adorned Sebastian's wrist to so eye the time. Dinner sure to be served within the next half hour in the grand hall. The Monarch inclined to admit that he was perhaps, looking forward to seeing his dinner table as it might once have been. The idea of real food so spread along it a distinctly appealing notion. His words offered to Matteo then a final time.

"Will you stay for dinner?"

It was perhaps a faint hope and one Dorian knew innately was assured to be dismissed. The Fae King hardly surprised when Matteo merely shook his head. That sudden, distinct flash of an entirely bright red to the elder Fae's gaze assuring Dorian that the man, had just now, had a vision of something else entirely. Matteo reaching for those sunglasses to shield his gaze as he often did in those moments in which his power caught him unawares. Not this evening. I will be back in a few days though. I have merely just seen why- heaven help me. I am heading to Brazil now though, then perhaps across to New York. I may even stop in your city. A man I once knew has a coffee shop there now. It was good to see you again, Dorian. He stood easily, his hand extended to take Dorian's own in that first touch the pair had exchanged the entire evening, Matteo holding it just a moment before he simply bowed once more, stepping to Sebastian to offer his hand again in that same gesture before dipping his head to Italy's Crown Consort, those words so murmured under his breath clear to Sebastian alone. To think, I might have had Leonardo Da Vinci for a son-in-law and I might have a Sebastian instead. I prefer you though. That admittance, at last, as to just what Sebastian had suspected all this time of just whom Matteo was. His words suddenly louder then. It was a pleasure to meet you to, Lord Ellington. The words had no sooner been uttered and Sebastian's hand released then the Elder Fae quite simply and abruptly evaporated. Dorian eyeing that now empty space with a small measure of disdain.

"I wish he wouldn't do that. I do believe he liked you though."

How easy it was, finally alone once more, to step towards his lover then, his fingers so entwining with the vampires own to tug him softly forward and allow his lips to press sweetly to Sebastian's in that entirely chaste and yet no less meaningful kiss. It had hardly escaped his notice that the vampire had, for whatever reason, seemed almost anxious this evening and yet Dorian hardly chose to inquire upon it. The man instead simply attempting to chase away any lingering worry that might afflict his lover with that gesture, the simper returned to his lips as he moved to shift slightly back at last. His hand still nestled in his companions own. His words truly soft.

"Come, let us have this dinner done with so we might come back here. Are you ready?"

Dorian Aragona